Rev. Elton Gray Sermon

Rev. Elton Gray Sermon, 79, died at 2:43 PM on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 in a local hospital.

Rev. Sermon was born on December 2, 1937 in Elmer, LA.  He received the Holy Ghost in Glenmora, LA on August 7, 1955.  Nine months later he was called into the ministry and began preaching revivals in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.  He went to Apostolic Bible Institute in St. Paul, MN.  He served as assistant pastor and later pastored in Milwaukee, WI.  He helped to establish a church in Helena, MT, and then moved from Montana to reestablish the church in Rock Springs, WY.  He also served as a pastor in Center, TX, and started churches in Nacogdoches, TX and Universal City, TX.  He was instrumental in the formation of the Rocky Mountain District of the United Pentecostal Church, where he served at various times as a presbyter, Home Missions Director, and District Superintendent.  He served in ministry for over 60 years, with 20 of that as pastor in Rock Springs, WY.

He was preceded in death by his father, Silas Edward Sermon; mother, Mary (Ray) Sermon; brothers, Jesse (Tinker), Eddie Frank (Faye), M.D., and Roy; sister-in-law, Shirley Sermon.

He is survived by his wife Barbara Jean (Heard) Sermon; brother, Alton Sermon of Tuscaloosa, AL; sons, Michael Gilliam (Merci) of Lake Charles, LA, Edward Sermon (Regina) of Billings, MT, Eric Sermon (Jaime) of Lake Charles, LA, and Matthew Sermon (Krista) of Annapolis, MD.  He will be greatly missed by his 8 grandchildren Jared (Katrina) Gilliam, Ginger Gilliam, Aaron (Hannah) Sermon, Jordan Sermon, Seth and Greyson Sermon, and Shiloh and Temple Sermon; 4 great-grandchildren, Laynie, Sawyer, and Lennon Gilliam and Aryce Sermon; and a host of nephews, nieces, and other relatives.

His funeral service will be held at 6:00 PM on Friday, February 10, 2017 at Livingway Pentecostal Church, under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.  Rev. Glenn Massey will lead the service.  Burial will be at 10:00 AM on Saturday at Prien Memorial Park.  Visitation will be at the church on Friday from 2:00 PM until the start of the service.

The family would like to express a special word of thanks to Dr. Ronald Lewis and his staff for the care and compassion given.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net